Belgrade outlasts Wildkats in opener

by The Daily Inter Lake
| March 4, 2011 12:15 AM

BELGRADE - Justine Taylor hit five 3s on her way to a game-high 24 points in Belgrade's 69-57 victory over Columbia Falls in opening-round action at the Class A state girls basketball tournament Thursday evening at the Belgrade Special Events Center.

Columbia Falls, which had its eight-game winning streak snapped, trailed Belgrade 29-24 at the half.

Both teams were on the offensive in the fourth quarter with Belgrade outscoring Columbia Falls 25-22.

Danielle Gilley had a huge game for the Wildkats, scoring 16 points. Kayla DeWit, who came in averaging 20, finished with 11.

Shaun Rowe added 12 and Hope Burlage 10 for the Wildkats.

Columbia Falls drops into loser-out action today versus Anaconda, a 60-44 loser to Laurel in the evening's other first-round game. They will tip it off at 2 p.m.

Hannah Weishoff finished with a double-double - 17 points and 11 rebounds - to power Laurel, who faces Belgrade in a semifinal contest tonight at 8.

Belgrade 69, Columbia Falls 57

Columbia Falls 12 12 11 22 - 57

Belgrade 16 13 15 25 - 69

COLUMBIA FALLS (13-8) - Kayla Stratton 0 0-0 0, Cedar Jordt 0 0-0 0, Danielle Gilley 6 2-2 16, Kayla DeWit 4 3-3 11, Allison Dierenfield 0 0-0 0, Allison Lampman 1 0-0 2, Courtney White 0 0-0 0, Hope Burlage 3 4-6 10, Jonna Werner 2 1-2 6, Shaun Rowe 4 4-5 12. Totals: 20 14-18 57.

BELGRADE (11-10) - Annie Prickett 3 1-2 9, Justine Taylor 7 5-6 24, Angie Schmit 0 4-4 4, Leighton Hirsch 0 0-0 0, Morgan Wandler 0 0-0 0, Kailey Ruff 0 0-0 0, Dylan Fowler 3 2-4 10, Becca Tilleman 0 0-0 0, Amanda Hayden 4 5-6 14, Lindsey Halgren 3 2-4 8, Holly Dahinder 0 0-0 0, Tanna Holliday 0 0-0 0. Totals: 20 19-29 69.

3-point goals: CF 3 (Gilley 2, Werner), Bel 10 (Taylor 5, Prickett 2, Fowler 2, Hayden). Fouls: CF 18, Bel 13. Fouled out: Gilley, Halgren. Technicals: none.

Laurel 60, Anaconda 44

Laurel 15 14 24 7 - 60

Anaconda 9 15 12 8 - 44

LAUREL (14-8) - McKenzie Webinger 4 0-2 9, Katie Day 2 0-1 5, Mariah Cleveland 3 3-7 9, Kelcie Wood 0 0-0 0, Haylee Gallegos 3 4-5 10, Courtney Bruce 0 0-0 0, Emily Smarsh 0 0-0 0, Hannah Weishoff 6 5-6 17, Bailey Love 0 1-2 1, Jayde LeFevre 3 0-0 9, Amanda Taylor 0 0-0 0. Totals: 0 0-0 0.

ANACONDA (15-6) - Nicole Schafer 0 0-0 0, Jayne Stergar 1 2-2 4, Brooke Chapman 0 0-0 0, Abby Stanberry 3 0-0 7,Courtney Moodry 3 0-0 7, Layne Cook 0 0-0 0, Emily Morani 2 0-0 5, Karli King 0 0-0 0, Jacqueline Verlanic 2 1-4 5, Vanessa Jense 2 2-2 8, Teryn Green 4 0-0 8, Taylor Flynn 0 0-0 0. Totals: 17 5-8 44.

3-point goals: Lau 5 (LeFever 3, Day 1, Cleveland 1), Ana 5 (Jense 2, Stanberry 1, Moodry 1, Morani 1). Rebounds: Lau 30, Ana 37. Fouls: Lau 10, Ana 17. Fouled out: Jensec. Technicals: none.